Research Article
Environmental Impact of Brick Manufacturing Process in Rajshahi Region, Bangladesh
Mafruha Binte Shamim*,
Md. Ashraful Islam,
Mst. Abeda Sultana
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2024
Pages:
1-12
Received:
13 December 2023
Accepted:
25 December 2023
Published:
1 February 2024
Abstract: Brick is the most common construction material that we use for the construction of buildings and structures all over Bangladesh. To supply the brick locally, many brickfields have emerged all over the country. The production of brick has seasonal, environmental, social and biological impact. The adverse pollution effect of the brick production process is increasing every year as the brick production and number of brick kilns are increasing day by day. A life cycle assessment or LCA analysis has been carried out to evaluate the overall impact of brick manufacturing process on environment and human health in Rajshahi region. The LCA software OpenLCA 1.11.0 was used to carry out the study with a scope from “cradle to gate” of LCA methodology. We focused on the potential environmental burden, including resource depletion, air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution and adverse effects on human health and crop production. The brick manufacturing phases of 20 brick fields are assessed through interviews, questionnaire surveys and in-situ observations. We also focused on the management system of the brickfields to assess the mismanagement and safety issues. We also compared the environmental effect and mismanagement on the brick manufacturing process to find the correlation between them. Based on the major findings from our study, some recommendations are proposed to mitigate the problems. The main recommendations include the use of eco bricks, recycled bricks, modified kiln systems, alternative firing technologies, training programs and a safe working environment.
Abstract: Brick is the most common construction material that we use for the construction of buildings and structures all over Bangladesh. To supply the brick locally, many brickfields have emerged all over the country. The production of brick has seasonal, environmental, social and biological impact. The adverse pollution effect of the brick production proc...
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Research Article
The Economic Model of the Fixed Exchange Rate in Bolivia: Towards Price Stability and Economic Instability
Cesar Daniel Vargas Diaz*,
Hernan Delgadillo Dorado,
Eloy Wilson Villca Copali
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2024
Pages:
13-21
Received:
19 December 2023
Accepted:
5 January 2024
Published:
27 February 2024
Abstract: The objective of this article is to demonstrate and analyze whether the fixed exchange rate is a variable that benefits or harms the Bolivian economy in the short term, medium term and long term. Because it is a fundamental economic variable, mainly to keep prices stable, that is, low and controlled inflation in national prices, this fixed exchange rate has been frozen since 2011. In addition, it regulates or affects foreign trade, i.e., imports and exports, which have been dragging a deficit in the trade balance, which favors imports and smuggling to the detriment of national production and a growing informal labor market. The Bolivian economy is especially dependent on exports without specialization and added value, such as natural gas, minerals, mainly gold, legally and illegally, among others. In addition, the significant deterioration of macroeconomic variables, as reflected in historical data, such as the collapse of savings due to the gradual fall in net international reserves since 2014, leaving the vaults of the Central Bank of Bolivia with scarce reserves in gold and foreign currency, as well as the significant increase in internal and external public debt, Both of them have reached the Gross Domestic Product, at the same time, the increase in public spending in the public sector and public administration in general and the addition of public strategic companies, the latter seeking to replace imports of the productive apparatus, generating a more robust state apparatus and with levels of fiscal deficit recorded in the last ten years and taking into account the progressive subsidies for imports of fuels such as gasoline and diesel in the face of the growing demand for these fuels legally due to the growing vehicle fleet and illegally due to drug trafficking, generating a deficit in the balance of trade. Finally, the levels of corruption and country risk reflected in recent months by specialized institutions in 2023 show a deterioration of the Bolivian economy. Thus, this research will demonstrate the effects of the economic, social, community and productive model with a fixed exchange rate on the Bolivian economy and the effects on macroeconomic variables.
Abstract: The objective of this article is to demonstrate and analyze whether the fixed exchange rate is a variable that benefits or harms the Bolivian economy in the short term, medium term and long term. Because it is a fundamental economic variable, mainly to keep prices stable, that is, low and controlled inflation in national prices, this fixed exchange...
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Research/Technical Note
Measuring Value Creation and Appropriation in the Brazilian Power Distribution Industry
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 1, February 2024
Pages:
22-31
Received:
30 January 2024
Accepted:
12 February 2024
Published:
27 February 2024
Abstract: Value creation and appropriation is a common study topic in the context of creating superior value in relation to competitors but is seldom applied in the context of regulated markets. Regulators must create a truly sustainable market environment by promoting a balanced value appropriation among all stakeholders. The objective of this research is to introduce the application of the VCA (Value Creation and Appropriation) method for measuring value creation and appropriation by stakeholders in regulated markets, with the illustrative case of the Brazilian power distribution market. By applying this methodology, we could test 3 specific hypotheses and found that (1) in most scenarios there is no significant difference in the creation and appropriation of value between state-owned and privately-owned companies, (2) despite complains presented by Distribution Companies, there are no indication that the value created and appropriated by stakeholders decreased over time, and (3) the regulatory intervention introduced by the Brazilian government in 2012, to try to force energy price reductions, unequivocally affected the dynamics of total value creation and value appropriation. This paper contributes to both scholars and practitioners and the proposed methodology can serve as a powerful benchmarking tool, especially as a means for policymakers to assess the maturity level of their local market regulation.
Abstract: Value creation and appropriation is a common study topic in the context of creating superior value in relation to competitors but is seldom applied in the context of regulated markets. Regulators must create a truly sustainable market environment by promoting a balanced value appropriation among all stakeholders. The objective of this research is t...
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